* Jesus was about to begin His ministry, so what would His dad say to Him?  

* Matthew 3:16-17 - God spoke three words of life into His Son:  

* 1) You are mine - “This is My Son”  

* Kids need to hear parents say “that’s my boy!” “That’s my girl!” 

* This phrase communicates security (I will take care of you), identity (you are a Benham), and acceptance (you belong to me).  

* 2) I love you - “Whom I love”  

* Kids need to know our love is unconditional.  

* Love is compassion with standards.  

* Rules without relationship leads to rebellion.  

* Relationship without rules leads to rejection.  

* 3) I am pleased with you - “With Whom I am well pleased”  

* This phrase communicates favor - “I like you. Your behavior pleases me.” 

* I’ve told my kids before, “If I were your age we’d totally hang out.”  

* Love is unconditional, but favor is conditioned on our obedience.  

* What had Jesus done up to this point that His Dad was so pleased with?  

* He was faithful in a blue-collar world!  

* BUT THEN…

* Matthew 4:1 - Love that is not tested is love that won’t last.  

* Satan attacked Christ’s relationship with His dad.  

* The first two temptations (vs 3 & 6) challenge what God had just told Jesus.  

* The third temptation (vs 9) Satan pulls the gloves off and just goes for it.  

* KEY - When you withstand Satan’s attacks you’ll end up seeing him for who he is.

* Jesus went in “full of the Holy Spirit” but He walked out in the “power” of the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:1 & 14).